Structural Design of Water-Soluble Copolymers

Macromolecules exhibiting solubility in aqueous solutions represent a diverse class of polymers ranging from biopolymers that direct life processes to synthetic systems with enormous commercial utility. In this chapter discussion will be directed toward fundamental concepts of structural arrangement, functionality, synthesis, and solution behavior. Subsequent chapters will detail advanced synthetic methods, polymerization kinetics, solution behavior including that of polyelectrolytes, polyampholytes, and polysoaps, and a number of selected technological applications